Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-03-03
CHAMOIS HUNTING.

Little Animal.
perhaps the most difficult hunting
in all Europe" said friend, sis ex-
perienced in following the channels.
They have been chased from time inn
memorial, and now are to be found
only on the most PERCEPTIONS cliffs,
where only those can venture who are
educated up to it from youth. Some
years ago l spent winter in the heart
of the Alpine country, and made up
my mind that | would have a channels
pronounced sham-wah) head to deco
rate my study. got it, and also nearly
left my bones in the Alps, and l
wouldn't undertake the trip again for
any inducement.
81 secured guide, said to be the
best in the country for that sport. and
one beautiful morning we started out,
ready for three days tramp. carry
ing only my light rifle. My guide said
he had seen a buck several days before
on cliff that encircled mountain
about ten miles away, and toward this
spot We started, and by four in the
afternoon we were well up the mount
ain. So rough was the country and
climbing, that we tied ourselves to-
gether by long rope, and found that,
even though carrying the traps, my
guide could still help me along occa-
sionally.
FINALLY we reached a spot where
we could see the cliffs. 1t was sheer
wall Of rock three thousand feet high,
without assign of place where foot
hold could be gained. and utterly I'M
approachable to my inexperienced eyes.
While we were resting, my companion
took out his glass, and after looking
through it for a few moments. he grasped
me by the arm and pointed to the highest
spot on the ledge. Taking the instru-
ment, l soon saw my first live channels.
1t was fine buck, and could distinct
ly see the black horns rs they projected
over the edge. as the little creature was
lying on the very verge of the preci-
pice, with its head partly hanging ever.
and my guide said that several more
were probably in the rear.
1.-The sight of the game refreshed us.
and we commenced the ascent again,
and after an hours hard climbing,
found that there was absolutely no
way of reaching the locality of the
game except by going above. and be-
inc lowered down to a ledge just above
them. This. in 4 moment of foclhardi-
ness. L determined to do. and by max
ing long detour and going up another
thousand feet. we found ourselves up
on IN irregular plateau, that we esti-
mated must be directly over the ami
mails, and not five hundred yards
away.
1.-The descent from here to the lower
ledge that was above the channels was
precipitous in the extreme. and every
step was made with the greatest care,
the guide holding back on the rope as.
went ahead.
''W. were fearful that stone would
start and alarm the herd, but finally
we reached the spot, and looking over
the edge-that was so tremendous an
abyss that the trees in the valley be-
low locked like small bushes-I saw
that by being lowered down upon still
another ledge, l could. by leaning
over. probably get shot, if in the.
meantime the animals did not make off.
My guide carried coil of stout cord.
and this i dashed firmly about my waist:
then. braeing against the rocks that
gave me the smallest foOthold, l COM
menced the descent, foot by foot and
inch by inch, hanging literally by a
thread over the valley below. Twas so
excited by the prospect of getting the
game that 1 did not realize the danger.
and kept on cautiously until reached
the ledge. Then. bending my head
over in the slightest manner posi-
bic. saw the game. The buck was
upon his feet, and near him were sever
al others. had just room to fire.
which 1 did literally hanging in the
air. and joyfully saw my buck fan. and
heard the Gathering of Numbers of
haofs rs the rest moved off.
.Ishouted to the gnide. and he low
cred away; and 1 soon was by the ami
mai. noble fellow over three feet in
length. Untying my rope. l fastened
it about him securely and gave the
signal, and up he went; and few
moments later. the rope came back
1.-The face of the cliff was covered |
with small lodges, from four to six in
cbes wide, that used as fOotholds; and |
mp these treaeherous stairs started.
being steadied by the guide. who haul
cd frOm above.
81 had almost reached the middle |
ridge. when l happened to look up and
saw the rope twirling and broken. 1t
had begun to chafe. and before ] could
utter o shout of warning, the guide
pulled again. and the rope parted. |